"The Bubble" | |
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 Interactive map of Yanitelli Center (Run Baby Run Arena) | |
| Full name | Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center |
|---|---|
| Location | 2641 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306 |
| Coordinates | 40°43′40″N74°04′23″W / 40.727648°N 74.073173°W /40.727648; -74.073173 |
| Public transit |   PATH:Journal Square JSQ-33JSQ-33 (via HOB)   NJT Bus:8, 9, 10, 14, 80, 87,119 |
| Owner | Saint Peter's University |
| Operator | Saint Peter's University |
| Capacity | 3,200 |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction | |
| Opened | November 29, 1975 |
| Renovated | 2020–2021 |
| Construction cost | $6 million ($35.1 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
| Tenants | |
| Saint Peter's Peacocks (NCAA) (1975–present) Jersey Jammers (USBL) (1986–1988) | |
The Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center, known today as theRun Baby Run Arena, is a multipurposeathletic facility on the campus ofSaint Peter's University, a private, coeducationalJesuit university inJersey City, New Jersey. Notable for itsair-supported "bubble," the Yanitelli Center opened on November 29, 1975 at a cost of $6 million and is named after the 17th president of the college.[2] It was built on the site of the first campus building, Collins Memorial Gymnasium, where the men's basketball team played most of their home games into the 1950s and continued to practice until its demolition.[3]
The facility is the home of theSaint Peter's Peacocks men's and women'sbasketball,volleyball,tennis andswimming anddiving teams. Formen's basketball games, collapsible bleachers are expanded to cover two of the main gymnasium's three full courts and provide a seating capacity of 3,200. For thewomen's games, only one of the bleachers is opened. Themen's basketball team played the inaugural game at the Yanitelli Center against theDartmouth Big Green losing 67–68.[2] Prior to its opening, the men's basketball team hosted its home games at the nearbyJersey City Armory and still occasionally use the venue for high-profile games.[4][5][6]
The building also houses The Eugene and Teresa Imperatore Swimming and Diving Center that features a 25 yd (23 m), 8 laneOlympic-size swimming pool with 1- and 3-meter diving boards and the Aquatics office.[7] Additionally, afitness center,weight room,racquetball court, andsquash court are also located in the facility. The offices for the Department of Athletics are located on the third floor while the Department of Recreation and Intramural Sports are in the basement.
Students often refer to the building simply as "The Bubble" due to the air-supported roof, which is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the campus and in Jersey City. The Bubble covers five roof-toptennis courts and a jogging track. The tennis nets can be removed to provide facilities for indoor athletic practices as well as a venue for intramural sporting events.[8]
On July 22, 2020, Saint Peter’s University announced that through a $5 million lead gift from Thomas P. Mac Mahon, they would begin a phased renovation of the Yanitelli Center. The renovation included the creation of a more modern basketball/volleyball arena with new retractable bleachers with an allotment of chairback seating, a full replacement of the hardwood court surface, updated branding and signage, a reimagined entryway to the facility, enhanced lighting and new video scoreboards. It also supported the creation of a Hall of Fame to celebrate the legacy of Peacock athletics.
Mac Mahon, a 1968 graduate of Saint Peter's, and a member of the Saint Peter's University Board of Trustees, decided to honor his former 1967–68 teammates by naming the renovated space the "Run Baby Run Arena" after that team's nickname for its high-scoring offense.[9] The new arena debuted on November 1, 2021, with Saint Peter's defeatingNew Jersey City University 90–66 in an exhibition game.[10]
On December 13, 1975,Judy Collins held a concert with a full sixteen-pieceorchestra at the Yanitelli Center. She performed her hit songs such as "Both Sides, Now" and "Send In the Clowns". She also performed a rendition ofJoseph Haydn's Concerto in D major.[11]
On March 3, 1977, the Yanitelli Center hosted the1977 ECAC Tournament Semifinals of the Metropolitan region with theSeton Hall Pirates defeating theArmy Black Knights 77–71.[12]
On October 15, 1983,Billy Idol brought hisRebel Yell Tour to a raucous Yanitelli Center.[13]
On November 27, 2002, Peacock freshmanKeydren Clark set the arena record for most points in a game with 44 points in a 94–85 win overSt. Francis (N.Y.). The previous record was 39 points scored by former Peacock Shelton Gibbs against theMarist Red Foxes on December 17, 1983.[2]
On January 9, 2008, the Yanitelli Center hosted a campaign rally for formerpresident of the United StatesBarack Obama in his successful bid to become theDemocratic candidate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.[14]
On November 17, 2009, Saint Peter's hostedMonmouth University in a men'sbasketball game, with a 6:00 a.m. start time, as part of the second annualESPN's 24–Hour College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon. The University hosted an 11-hour "all-nighter" of campus activities with free breakfast and a pre-game pep rally prior to the game. The Peacocks defeated theHawks, 58–34.[15]
On March 29, 2017, Saint Peter's hosted the semifinals of the2017 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) at the Yanitelli Center marking the first time Saint Peter's ever hosted a national postseason tournament. The Peacocks would defeat theFurman Paladins 77–51 en route to their first-ever national postseason title.[16]
On November 23, 2021, the Peacocks played their first official game in Run Baby Run Arena and opened it with a 64–62 win over theLIU Sharks.[2]
In March of 2022, the arena hosted watch parties during Saint Peter's improbableElite Eight run in the2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The Peacocks became the first ever 15-seed to accomplish the feat.[17]
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